Reaching out: Local kitten rescue seeks community’s help to continue mission
A volunteer holds a kitten being cared for by Tiny Paws NICU, a small local rescue that helps kittens who are critical, sick, injured or have special needs. The nonprofit is seeking community support to continue its mission. Courtesy photo
A newborn kitten is fed by a volunteer at Tiny Paws NICU. Courtesy photo
A volunteer from Tiny Paws NICU feeds a newborn kitten. The nonprofit is completely foster-based, with all of its kittens residing in foster homes. Courtesy photo
“Our goal is to save as many lives as we can, whether it’s through bottle feeding and adoption, spaying and neutering, or spreading awareness on the precise care of these vulnerable kittens,” Tiny Paws NICU founder Adale Glass said. Courtesy photo
A volunteer holds a kitten being cared for by Tiny Paws NICU, a small local rescue that helps kittens who are critical, sick, injured or have special needs. The nonprofit is seeking community support to continue its mission. Courtesy photo
A newborn kitten is fed by a volunteer at Tiny Paws NICU. Courtesy photo
A volunteer from Tiny Paws NICU feeds a newborn kitten. The nonprofit is completely foster-based, with all of its kittens residing in foster homes. Courtesy photo
“Our goal is to save as many lives as we can, whether it’s through bottle feeding and adoption, spaying and neutering, or spreading awareness on the precise care of these vulnerable kittens,” Tiny Paws NICU founder Adale Glass said. Courtesy photo
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Tiny Paws NICU, a small local rescue helping even smaller patients, is in dire need of community support to continue its mission of saving and caring for orphaned neonatal kittens.
Adale Glass, 20, started the rescue work of what became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit when she was 15 and has been caring for kittens who are critical, sick, injured or special needs ever since.
"Our main focus and priority are kittens zero to three weeks of age, but, situation or condition depending, we will accept intakes up to 12 weeks of age who need extra special care," Glass said. "Any medically challenged cases, we will fight for the little guys."
Glass said she and the rescue's few volunteers are "highly knowledgeable and experienced" and are "trained to provide tube feedings and administer subcutaneous fluids."
Once March hits, Glass said Tiny Paws NICU will likely take in as many as 12 litters of kittens a month until September, depending on foster space.
"The lowest (amount) I'd say is probably five litters a month," Glass said. "But the messages are daily pleading for help."
The rescue has already taken in six newborn kittens this year, but has been contacted about eight, she said.
"People contact us from all over Pennsylvania -- and even West Virginia and Maryland -- for help for kittens," Glass said. "Not much adoption interest or foster interest."
Tiny Paws NICU is completely foster-based, with all of its kittens residing in individual foster homes. While the rescue had been operating out of a volunteer's garage, Summer Socie of Second Chance Strays Cat Rescue & Lounge offered them a small space in her second building "until we can find a place of our own to run our rescue," Glass said.
The space will enable the rescue to not only allow easier intakes, but enable volunteers to conduct foster training, meet and greets, adoptions, foster appointments and safely store supplies. All they need to do is raise funds for a wall to split the space, Glass said.
"We are so thankful," Glass said. "We plan to do more fundraising and events this year -- fingers crossed."
While they now have a space, Tiny Paws NICU isn't completely out of the woods yet.
In a recent post on the rescue's Facebook page, Glass wrote that if "something doesn't budge" for them soon, she would have to "step down and put Tiny Paws NICU on a long hold or vanish it."
The small rescue has raised about $1,000 in donations so far this year, but has already spent about $2,000 in vet bills alone. Glass said they make just enough to cover spays, neuters, vet appointments and medical necessities.
"If there's any kind individuals willing to help, it would be a huge blessing to us and our rescued kittens," Glass said. "Even if any businesses would be willing to set up donation jars, boxes or any fundraising help or ideas -- that would be so extremely helpful, too."
In addition to fundraising, Glass said Tiny Paws NICU always needs foster homes, bottle feeders and weaned fosters, as well as food and litter ahead of kitten season.
"Our goal is to save as many lives as we can, whether it's through bottle feeding and adoption, spaying and neutering, or spreading awareness on the precise care of these vulnerable kittens," Glass said. "All of our kittens are up to date on their vetting and are always spayed or neutered prior to adoption."
For more information on how to volunteer or donate, visit tinypawsnicu.com or Tiny Paws NICU on Facebook. Message their Facebook page for a mailing address or to set up a day and time for drop-off donations.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.
How to help
Who: Tiny Paws NICU
What: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
dedicated to saving orphaned neonatal kittens
Wishlists: Chewy and Amazon wishlists are available on their Facebook page
Needs: Dawn dish soap, bleach, disinfectant wipes, clear ammonia, paper towels, Purina kitten chow in the yellow bag, Sheba kitten wet food, litter, plug-in or microwavable heat pads, aluminum pans, kitten bottles, purified water, tissues, non-fragrance baby wipes, puppy pads, blankets, towels, 10ml, 1ml, and 3ml syringes, and 25g, 23g, 22g needles.